PERRANPORTH 0 HELSTON 2

THIS was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests as Helston were good value for their 2-0 win at Perranporth in the Jolly's Combination League.

The first half was pretty much a competitive end-to-end affair, but without the goalkeepers being unduly called into action.

The Blues created a good chance in the eighth minute when a good header across the box found Tom Russell, but the bounce hampered his shot and the ball flew just wide of the post.

Perran's main tactic was to flood the box with aerial crosses, but the visiting defence dealt competently with everything that was thrown at them.

Helston found the hard surface did not allow them to play their normal game and again the bounce denied Tony Morley when he had to readjust to shoot and put the ball just wide of the post.

Helston had a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 37th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Liam Eddy was bundled over in the box. The normally reliable Morley took the spotkick, but John Mitchell made a fine diving save in the corner of the goal.

Helston's midfield, with Russell becoming more influential as the half wore on, took a firm grip on things and put the home side under pressure with possession and territory.

The visitors began to threaten with every attack and in the 57th minute they took the lead when a good ball by John Simpson was flicked on by Eddy for Morley to give the 'keeper no chance with a shot from the edge of the box.

Perran found it difficult to get out of their own half as the Blues penned them back and they were fortunate to survive another attack when the 'keeper pulled off a fine save from Phil Black.

Aaron Collick came on for Liam Eddy in the 73rd minute and two minutes later Collick was on the scoresheet. Perran's offside trap failed as Russell scampered away and got into the box where his shot was blocked by the 'keeper, but not enough to prevent Collick from turning the ball in at the far post.

The 'keeper came to Perran's rescue again with a good save from Pearson who looked certain to score, but the only time Perran looked dangerous was in the last minute when Ian Chatfield twice made good saves.

Helston: I Chatfield, E Dunn, C Breasley, A Sharkey, R Wilkinson, J Simpson, R Bray, P Black, T Russell, L Eddy, T Morley. Subs: R Pearson, A Collick, A Trathen.